Tuesday, July 06, 2010

I've written before about the importance of sleep. How can your mind or body be at their best if they're not rested and refreshed adequately? Yeah, that's not brain surgery, right?

Yesterday I was doing some research into the causes of chronic inflammation (thanks Sara for planting the seed). I started off looking into food sensitivities, and refreshing my knowledge of foods known to have anti-inflammatory properties. Ah, those Omega-3s, wonderful things! Among other things, I should definitely eat more cold water fish, take my fish oil, continue with the daily portion of walnuts, keep up my love affair with berries and green veggies, and break out the turmeric once again. I also need to cut back the caffeine, stay off alcohol and keep sugar and refined grains for occasional treats.

I pulled out my genetic profile and re-read the bits where my genes are a little bit mental when it comes to inflammatory response and detoxification. All my dietary recommendations as a result of genetic testing line up perfectly with what I've been reading about food and inflammation. Hmm.

There was a nagging thought pinging around in my brain. Inflammation.... something else is a factor here.... not food.... something.... Aha! I've got it: S.L.E.E.P.

There are squillions of studies on the link between inadequate sleep and inflammation (Just Google sleep + inflammation and see what you get). Chronic inflammation is known to be a contributing factor to all sorts of diseases - type II diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, many auto-immune diseases, just to name a few. I knew this, but filed the information in the it doesn't apply to me section of my brain and ignored it.

I'm still reading, but it's becoming more and more obvious that perhaps I should have been paying attention to some simpler things when it comes to sorting out my injuries. Consistent sleep, less stress, and some minor adjustments to nutrition may just make the difference I've been looking for.

1 comment:

We often overlook the obvious don't we... I mean sleep is when the body repairs itself so it makes perfect sense. Also sleep is free and pretty awesome :) Maybe if I got more of it, my stupid achilles would mend.